Good morning, DearHeart.

Have you ever noticed that when God stretches you, you never go back to the original shape? The process of stretching makes weakened areas more suspect to pinhole tears where the enemy works overtime trying to find a way in.

This is especially you when you are in recovery mode and trying to find space to forgive someone. The heart runs its own stopwatch. Not attached to calendar days or years. And, the heart also reminds you that it’s not a “gotcha” competition – “you are a loser, so that makes me the winner.”

Arrogance disguised.

Satan heaping weight on.

Here’s the deal – the heart forgives when it is ready to forgive. And, it begins by forgiving yourself.

Self-forgiveness.

Unlike us, Christ forgives as son as you ask. Boom. Forgiven. Done. Over. Left in the past. Move on.

The Holy Spirit allows love to flow from the place of self-forgiveness. Because, when you forgive yourself, everyone in the pain loop gains freedom in some way. Maybe you got blindsided; and time shows you that you had a role in being betrayed – you were scared. That’s the point your story begins to change from betrayal to forgiveness. This is the place you stop letting the pain of the past hurt you in the present. You keep the life-lessons…and you send the rest into the Light of our Redeeming Savior.

“All is forgiven” includes you.

When we start applying prayer to our confidence in Christ, and His victory over past hurdles, He sends fresh energy into us – resurrection power into a new mindset, and a fresh heart.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Wake up.

Deliver your pain into the Light.

Forgive yourself. Move on.

Go.